AFC East Notes: Jets, Allen, Dolphins

The Jets have been most closely linked to Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason, but like Aaron Rodgers, the talented wide receiver is not yet with the team. Beckham may well be waiting on the Rodgers trade to be finalized, though other teams — including the Ravens — have made offers. The Jets are interested at the right price, per the New York Post’s Brian Costello, who adds an OBJ signing likely means a Corey Davis release.

With the Jets adding Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman to the mix and continuing to pursue Beckham, Davis has hovered around the chopping block for weeks. The Jets can save $10.5MM by releasing the former top-five pick even if they do not designate him as a post-June 1 cut. If Beckham signs elsewhere, it would be interesting to see how the Jets navigate the Davis matter. The team has traded Elijah Moore, removing a potentially promising weapon from its receiver stable, and Hardman displayed inconsistency during his rookie-deal Chiefs years. Davis, however, has not topped 550 yards in a season as a Jet. His three-year, $37.5MM deal calls for an $11.6MM 2023 cap number.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

• Georgia tackle Broderick Jones is visiting the Jets on Wednesday, and this high-profile position seems like a logical move for Gang Green at No. 13 overall. Now that it seems that pick is off the table in Rodgers negotiations, the Jets can devote it to a need area to complement their apparent QB-in-waiting. But the team discussed a deal with Orlando Brown Jr., Costello adds. The Steelers joined the Jets in being connected to Brown during his time on the market, but the Bengals came in with a frontloaded deal (four years, $64MM; $42.4MM due by 2024) to land the former Ravens and Chiefs Pro Bowler. The Jets have major questions at both tackle spots, with Duane Brown going into an age-38 season and Mekhi Becton having played one game in two years. Multiyear starter George Fant remains a free agent.
• Josh Allen handled a career-high 124 rushing attempts last season, and the superstar Bills quarterback logged 122 in 2021. The 237-pound QB has operated as Buffalo’s go-to rushing option, but Sean McDermott would like to see his centerpiece player adjust his style of play. That likely means limiting the hits he takes as a runner, as NFL.com’s Judy Battista noted the five-year veteran has been tackled on 66% of his downfield runs (Twitter links). In an effort to prioritize Allen’s health and extend his career, it would be in the Bills’ best interest to curtail his run-game aggressiveness. Allen has, however, topped 700 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons; only he, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts have done that over the past two seasons. It will be interesting to see how the Bills go about creating a delicate balance here.
• The Dolphins recently extended Durham Smythe through 2025, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes the team will be expected to draft at least one tight end. Per an agent representing one of this year’s top free agent tight ends, the Dolphins did not want to spend much on the position. Seeing as Mike Gesicki saw his role significantly reduced in Mike McDaniel‘s first year as HC, that makes sense. But after losing Gesicki and Hunter Long (included in the Jalen Ramsey trade), Miami will need to make at least one addition here.